Swimming pool cleaning apparatus

ABSTRACT

FLEXIBLE SWEEP HOSES FOR USE IN SWIMMING POOLS FOR CLEANING PURPOSES WHICH ARE PROVIDED WITH SPECIALLY CONSTRUCTED HIGH VELOCITY, MULTI-JET CLEANING NOZZLES AT THEIR OUTER ENDS AND A PLURALITY OF LONG-LASTING, ADJUSTABLY POSITIONED WEAR RINGS SURROUNDING THE FLEXIBLE HOSES IN STRATEGIC LOCATIONS TO PREVENT EXCESSIVE HOSE WEAR. THE HOSES ARE DEMOUNTABLY CONNECTED TO QUICK DISCONNECT PLUG OUTLETS IN THE POOL WALLS OR ASSOCIATED CLEANING APPARATUS FOR THE POOL.

United States Patent 91 Kane 1 June 28, 1974 SWIMMING POOL CLEANING APPARATUS [76] Inventor: Robert J. Kane, 5035 N. 12th St.,

Phoenix, Ariz. 85011 [22] Filed: Oct. 2, 1972 21 Appl. No.1 294,095

[52] US. Cl. 4/l72.l5, 134/168 R, l34/167 R [51] Int. Cl E04h 3/16, E04h 3/18 Field of Search 4/172.l5, 172.17, 172.16; 15/315, 301, 313; 134/167 R, 167 C, 168 R,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,933,259 4/1960 Raskin 239/567 X 3,032,044 5/1962 Pansini 134/168 R X 3,170,180 2/1965 Winston et a1 134/167 R X 3,315,692 4/1967 Arneson 135/167 R 3,464,068 9/1969 Whitaker 4/172.15

3,575,729 4/1971 Howard 134/168 3,585,654 6/1971 Jacobs 4/l72.l5 3,689,408 9/1972 Edmiston et a1. 134/169 R X 3,718,148 2/1973 Gibellina 134/167 R Primary ExaminerHenry K. Artis Attorney, Agent, or FirmWarren F. B. Lindsley [5 7] ABSTRACT 3 Claims, 16 Drawing Figures EATENTED JUH 2 8 1974 SHEET 3 [IF 3 l SWIMMING POOL CLEANING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to swimming pool cleaning apparatus and is particularly directed to systems which utilize flexible sweep hoses employing high velocity, multi-jet cleaning nozzles and weighted wear rings to minimize wear on the hoses and to keep the nozzle ends of the hoses under water adjacent the bottom of the pool during high pressure ejection of water from the cleaning nozzles. This action more thoroughly agitates the silt and keeps the paticulate matter in suspension so that it can be readily picked up and removed by the regular filtering system of the swimming pool and also aids in moving the heavy particles of silt to the main drain sump.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Heretofore, removal of particulate matter from the swimming pool was accomplished by manually sweeping and brushing the matter from the walls and bottom of the pool toward the main outlet drain or by vacumming the bottom of the pool. These procedures are not very effective because such operations cause much of the silt and solid matter to be stirred up into suspension, only to settle out later on the bottom and side walls of the pool after the cleaning operations are finished.

Other methods for removing particulate matter from swimming pools have been used, such as the pressurized flexible sweep hose method used in the present invention; but most of these systems have failed to perform a satisfactory cleaning operation because the high velocity, lightweight, single port cleaning nozzles utilized did not create sufficient agitation of the silt and particulate matter to keep it in suspension. This occurred because the high pressure water ejected from the lightweight, single port cleaning nozzles utilized caused the nozzle ends of the flexible cleaning hoses to ifices being adapted to eject fluid at high pressure therefrom to provide thorough agitation of the silt.

A still further object of this invention is to provide new and improved nozzles for the ends of flexible sweep hoses for swimming pool systems which assist in maintaining the level of the sweep hose nozzles near the bottom of the pool during operation by the stabilizing action of the fluid ejected from said orifices.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an improved nozzle for flexible sweep hoses for swimming pool cleaning systems which have a plurality of orifices ejecting water toward the centerline of the nozzle.

A still further object of this invention is to provide new and improved wear rings for flexible sweep hoses which are formed for slidably gripping the hoses in a new manner along the length of the hoses, where they will remain until manual adjustment is required.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds and the features of novelty which characterize this invention will be pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming part of this specification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention may be more readily described I by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

move up, down and sometimes completely out of the pool water. This action provides only limited agitation of the particulate mattenmaking it necessary to use the cleaning system for longer periods to obtain a satisfactory cleaning operation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the invention claimed, new and improved detachably connected high pressure flexible hoses are provided having at their outer ends interchangeable, high velocity. relatively heavy multi-jet nozzles. Each hose employs a plurality of relatively heavy wear rings which are dispersed at relatively wear prone locations along the length of the flexible hoses.

, FIG. I is a general perspective view and piping diagram showing a swimming pool cleaning system incorporating the features of this invention.

FIG. 2. is an enlarged-fragmentary perspective view showing one of the high velocity flexible sweep hose assemblies attached to an outlet fitting in the side wall of the pool.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional view of one of the wear rings showing it installed surrounding a section of flexible hose, taken on line 33 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged transverse sectional view through the wear ring and flexible hose taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a side wall of the pool showing the front outer end of one of the quick-disconnect outlet fittings as installed flush with the face of the pool wall.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of the outlet fitting assembly shown in FIG. 5 taken on the line 6-6, showing its flush installation in the pool wall, with a modified non-flush form of installation indicated by dotted line.

FIG. 6a isa fragmentary longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG. 6 showing the male portion of the quickdisconnect fitting attached to one end of the flexible hose installed in locked relation in the female outlet fitting in the pool wall.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view showing the male portion of the quick-disconnect fitting installed on one end of the flexible hose.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the multi-jet cleaning nozzle assembly installed on the outlet end of the flexible hose.

FIG. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view through the multi-jet cleaning nozzle assembly shown in FIG. 8 taken on line 9-9, showing the central outlet port on the horizontal centerline of the nozzle tip and the radial outlet ports arranged at 20 angles about the centerline,

and diagrammatically indicating the angles from to 90, at which the radial ports could be arranged in mod-l ified forms of the nozzle tips.

. line in FIG. 6, with the major portion of the outlet body FIG. is a front end elevational view of a modified form of the multi-jet cleaning nozzle assembly shown in 7 FIGS. 8 and 9. I

FIG. 11 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and in section, taken on the line 11:'11of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view similar to FIG; 6a showing a modified form of a quickdisconnect fitting with the ,male' portion of the'fitting attached to one end of the flexible hose, inserted in,un-, locked relation in the female outlet portion of the fit ting embedded in the pool wall, andwith its locked relation. indicated by dotted line.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional view of another modified form aof a quick-disconnect fitting of the male portion of the fitting attached end of the flexible hose, inserted in locked relation in the female outlet portion of the fitting, said female portion being formed integral with the side wall of -a high pressure water distributor head.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view through a a a 4 v surface of pool wall33, as indicated at 30 by dotted 27 with its radial lugs 29 firmly embedded in the cement of the pool wall.

The central bore 34 of the outlet body portion 27 of the plug outlet assembly 27 is 28 with internal threads .35 which are adapted to receive themale external threaded stem 36 of a removable bushing 37. Bushing 37 is provided with an integral, flatsided'circular' flange 38' having an integral hexagon head portion 39 -extending outwardly therefrom into the open end of easily rotated by a suitable socket-wrench to screw portion of a conventional swimming pool,'illustrating"- one method of utilizing the flexible sweep hoses of this DESCRIPTION or THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates a swimming pool cleaning systemlO comprising a pump 11 and filter tank 12.,The pump has the usual suction return line 13 connected to it and terminat'ing at a skimmer outlet 14 and a main drain sump 15. An outlet pressure supply line 16 connects the filter" counter bore 32. The hexagon head .portion- 39 may be bushing 37 in or out of the fixed body portion 27 of the plug outlet assemblies 28.

The bottom face of counter bore 32 formed in flange 31 in body portion 27 0f plug outlet assembly 28 provides a seat, which seat is provided with an arcuate groove adapted to receive and retain an O-ring 40. O'- ring contacts the inner face of circular flange 38' to 'seal bushing'37 in body portion 27 of plug out-let assembly 28 against high pressure water leakagewhen the bushing is tightly screwed in place. Bushings 37 are each provided with a bore 41 and are so designed that a pair of diametrically opposed; inwardly projecting lugs 42 extend thereinto. Lugs 42 of each bushing are adapted to be received in a. pair of, diametrically opposed, longitudinally arranged slots 43 formed in the outer peripheral surfaceofa male stem portion 44 of a quick-disconnect fitting assembly 45. Assembly is securely but removably attached in any suitable manner to one end of a flexible sweep hose 46. The longitudinal slots 43 are provided with the usual rightv angle circumferential extensionswhich, together with the integral lugs 42 in bushing 37, are utilized to form a bayonet-type locking connecting means for "the flexible sweep hoses 46. By merely pushing the male stem por-.

, tion 44 of the quick-disconnect fitting assembly 45 into the bore 41 of'bushi'ng'37 with slots 43 alignedfwith the lugs 42 as far as possible and then rotating the fittings 7 45 about, one quarter turn clockwise, the quicktank l2-through a shut-ofi control-valve 17, main 'water return line 18, circulating pipe 19 andinlets 20 to P000125.

Another water return line 21 connects pressure supply line 16 through'a shut-off control valve22, pressure gauge 22', and line 23 to piping 24, forminga continu= ous loop around pool 25. A plurality of outlet pipes 26 are connectedto perimeter piping24 at'appropriate;l0-;-

cations around the loop and extend into the poolwalls, where they are connected to body portions 27 of suitable quick-disconnectplug outlet assemblies 28. These.v

assemblies areembedded in non-rotative relation in the cement of the pool walls by means of the radiallypro I jecting lugs .29 formed integrally with bodyportions 27.

it should be noted that the outer faces 30 ofthe cylin- I drical' flanges 31 forming the counterbores 32 in the outer open end of body portions 27 of the plug outlet assemblies 28 are preferably positioned to be flush. with a the finished outer surface-of the pool wall 33, as shown in full line in FIG. 6 and 6a. This construction eliminates any projections from the pool wall into the pool of the plug outlet assembly when the cleaning system is not in use. if so desired, the outer face of the cylindri cal flange 31 may extend slightly beyond the finished disconnect assembly 45 and itsattached sweep: hose are locked in place in the pool wall. To quickly disconnect, the procedureis reversed. V l

The male stem portions 44 of the quick disconnect fitting assemblies are provided with annular grooves that retain suitable O-rings 48. O-rings 48 are adapted to contact the walls of the central bore 37' of bushings ;37 to seal. the fitting from high pressure water leakage. The male stem portions 44 are also provided with an.

integral circular flange 49, whi'ch is adapted to abut the outer end of the hexagon headportion 39 of the removable bushing 37 to limit the inward movement of the quick-disconhectfitting assembly 45 when inserted and locked in bushing 37. r

' The sweep hoses 46 utilized in" this invention are fabricated of 'highpressure strength, long wearing, flexible plastic material such as vinylor the like. I

To provide a longer life and thus more economical usage of these flexible sweep hoses, each hose is pro vided with a plurality of heavy duty, hollow tubular.

wear rings 50 such as shown in the enlarged sectional views of FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings. Each, wear ring is preferably fabricated of a high density, relatively 7 heavy, abrasive resistant plastic material of a comparatively short length, for example 2 inches, which is short interconnects withbore 60.

enough so as not to interfere with the nonnal flexing of the sweep hoses when in use.

flexible hose 46by several inwardly projecting radial splines 53 which taper inwardly from a point near. the outer ends of the central bore 54 of the wear ring toward its center, where they form flat surface areas 55 having a diameter somewhat less thanthe outer, diameter of the flexible hose 46. The radial splines 53tapering inwardly-from rings 50 define a reduced diameter area 55 in the centerof the ring which is adapted'to de-.

press the surface area of the flexible hose, thereby 6 increase the velocity of the water being ejected from orifices 66 and 67.

' The plurality of radially positioned orifices 67, shown in H0. 9, may be, for example, located .from the horizontal centerline 70 of the cleaning nozzle 57. It

should be understood that these radial bores could be ously installed quick-disconnect fitting assembly 45 at causing sufficient friction to lock the wear rings 50 in a given location-on the hose and to-allow only forced manual movement of the same.

After several wear rings have been sired locations on the flexible-sweep hoses 46, a multiinstalled in dejet cleaning nozzle assembly 56 is installed, one on the outer end of each of the flexible hoses to complete the sweep hose assemblies of this invention.

Eachcleaning nozzle assembly 56 consists of a nozzle 57 in which a plurality of cleaning nozzle'orifices 58 are arranged. These no'zzles are preferably fabricated of a high density, abrasion resistant'plastic material such as nylon or the like which maybe impregnated, if so desired, with heavier material to increase its weight. Each nozzle is formed'in a tapered tubular Configuration and is provided with a central annular bore 59, One end of the bore is sized to slidablyreceive one end of the flexible sweep hose 46 as shown in FlG, 9. The other end of bore 59 opens intov a cavity 60, the diameter of which is somewhat larger than the diameter of bore 5.9. A further larger diameter bore 61 at the tip end of the nozzle Bore 60in nozzle 57 is sized and adapted to receive in clamped relation the extreme'outer end of the flexible hose 46. The flexible .hose has previously been expanded by being forced onto arearwardlyintegral projecting stem portion 62 of the cleaning nozzle 57. Stem portion 62 is provided with an enlarged cylindrical portion 63 which extends therefrom and is adapted to fit into bore 61 of nozzle 57 to limit axial movement of the flexible hose 46 therein. If so desired, bore 60 may be central pressure chamber 68 in stem portion 62 which in turn communicates with bore 69 in the inner end of stem portion 62. Bore 69 communicates with bore 46' of flexible hose 46. Bore 69 has radial inwardly projectone end thereof and a plurality of wear rings 50 positioned therealong nozzle assembly attached at-its other end a cleaning nozzlas sembly 56. The assembly on hose 46 is then quickly and easily connected in the removable bushing 37 of the female quick-disconnect outlet assembly 28 in the poolwalls 33. The sweep hose isthen allowed to hang down'into the pool with the major portion of each hosecontaining the. heavy wear rings and'cleaning nozzle 56 resting on the floor of the pool ready to perform 'itssweeping' and cleaning action.

With all of the flexible hose assemblies connected tov the quick-disconnect outlets 28in their'several locations in the poolwall as described above and shown in FIGS. land 2 of the drawings, the pools water recirculating system is energized, causing'pump 11 to recirculate and filter with the associated equipment the pool water in the conventional manner.

'This action occurs by opening control valve 22 in the return line 21. Water .under pressurethen flows from the outlet pressure supply line '16 through pressure gauge '22", return line 23, perimeter piping or loop 24, the several outlet pipes 26, into and out of the flexible hoses 46 through the high pressure multi-jet cleaning nozzle assemblies byway of the centralorifice 66 and the plurality of angular radial orifices 67 into the pool ing splines around its periphery which serve to further to allow thepressure createdin the flexible hoses to cause eachhose to have a slow lazy movement or sweeping action he substantially horizontal plane along the pool floor. The sweep hoses are-maintained along and above the pool bottom, and are prevented from flying out of the pool water by the combined weight of the wear rings 50 and the weight of the cleaning nozzle assemblies 56, having frusto-conical configurations with their larger diameter ends at the nozzle ends of these structures, together with the effects of the multi-jet action of'water under pressure being forced out of cleaning nozzle assemblies 56. The nozzles 57 also assist in maintaining the ends of the sweep hoses along the floor of the pool by the stabilizing actionof water underhighpressure being ejected from the orifices of the nozzles outwardly in a diverging manner and in some cases in a convergingmanner at the same time. i If the nozzles should start to break the surface of the pool water, the jetsof water dispersing into the pool water will pull the nozzle back into the water, where it will sink to the bottom of the pool under action of gravity.

With the flexible sweep hoses 46 and their multi-jet cleaning nozzles 57 operating as described above, it is evident thatthepool cleaningapparatus of this invention is capable of thoroughly performing the function of removing silt from the walls and floor of the pool by" thorough agitation, thereby keeping particulate matter in suspension to be picked up and removed bythe regu V lar filtering system of the pool.

8 i cleaning system and the flexible sweep hoses of this invention. j

FIG; 12 shows a modified quick-disconnect fitting assembly 45' as used with the perimeter (loop) piping arrangement previously described; It includes the female body portion 27' which is embedded in the concrete wall' of the pool and attached by cementing or other;

The wear rings50 and cleaningnozzles 6 are subject ,7

to severe wear due to their contact with the rough textured'surfacesofthe pool'walls and floor, and normally would require replacement at frequent intervals. To

eliminate this frequent replacement problem, the wear rings 50 may be rotated about the flexible, hoses to which they are attached, thereby bringing another por tion of the surface of the ring into functional contact with the walls or floor of the pool. I V

After a cleaning operation, the shut-off control valve 22 may be closed and the maincontrol valve 'l7ad-.

justed to resume the proper pressure and recirculation wise to one of the outlet pipes 26in a similar manner nular groove 7 5 at the'ir'inner ends. A bore 76 of exten in'the" regua'lr filtering system. At thistimethe flexible hose assemblies may be quickly detached from the butlets 28 in the walls of the pool or allowed to remain connectedin the pool alongiits bottom for future use.

It should be noted that the swimming pool cleaning apparatus, its use, and operation showninFlGSE 1' through 9 of the drawings and described in the foregoing paragraphs, has been directed particularly to use of the novelapparatus'in conjunction with a swimming,

pool cleaning systemwhich includes a loop or perime ter piping surrounding the pool and a plurality'ofoutlet pipes which extend from the loop into thewalls of'the pool. a v

This type of construction presents a neat appearance in the finished pool and provides a very efficient clean ing system which is easily operated and maintained when used in conjunction with theequick-disconnect fitting assemblies previously'described. lt is'also evident that this type of swimming pool cleaningsystem is V economical when installed at the time of pool construction; but if this is not done, it is still feasible and'economical to utilizethe flexible sweep hose assemblies of the invention :with portable pressure-operated pool cleaning systems which may be quickly andteasily installed, operated and removed from the pool "with a minimum of manual'effort. t g FIGS. 10 through 15 illustrate the design features of 7 some of the components which may be utilized in con" junction with either the perimeter,(loop) piping concept or the portable system concept of the invention.

, quick-disconnect fitting arrangement which mayfbe FIGS. '10 and 11 showa modifiedversionof the'mul v i tijet cleaning nozzle assembly 56 and nozzle 57 attached to one end of sweep hose 46, as shown in FIG;' 9, 'with simplified multijet assembly'cleaning orifices 6 5' having a plurality of longitudinal bores terminating in orifices 67' which are radially and equally spaced around a central longitudinal :bore terminating'in ori-' 58'; The nozzle is provided with a conical tip portion 7 fice 66'. Bores 66' and 67'ncommunicate with pressure 7 chamber 68,bore 69 in the stem portion 62 of the cy- 7 lindrical portion 63 of the nozzle ancl bore j46iof the V flexible sweep hose 46.

' nos. 12 and 13 Show modified versions of simpler, less, expensive quick-disconnect.fitting assemblies which could be used with any type-of pressure pool sion 72 also communicates with't'he annular groove 75 and is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed, inwardly radial projection lugs 77 (shown in dotted line). A partition wall 71 is provided in bodyportion ,7 27' and defines a central aperture 78 which is'adapted V to communicate with the boreof outlet pipe 26 and V bore46 of the flexible sweephose 46. r i

The'rnale stem portion '44 of the qu'ickediscounect fitting assembly 45' comprises a hollow tubular section a in" the bored" which'one end of the sweep hose 46 is:

secured. This male stem portion 44 is provided with a smooth outer surface at its inner or contained end which is sized to slide easily in the bore 76 of the extension 72. A pair of diametricallyopposed radially projecting integral lugs 79 on male stem portion 44' are adapted to fit and slide, in the longitudinal slots 74 formed in extension 72 and to fit and be rotated one quarter of a turn in the annular groove 75 until stopped against the inwardly projecting lugs 77"to lock the male stem portion 44" together with the attached sweep hose 46 in the extension 72 of the body portion 27' of the quick-disconnect fitting. The'male stem portion 44" is provided with; a rough end or gripping surfaceon its outward projection diameter surface to allow for easy' turning and withdrawal of the stem with its projecting lugs 79 through slots 74 by reversing the: procedure for insertion described above.

FIG. 13 shows still another modified version of a used with the flexible sweep hoses of this invention to quickly secure or remove said sweep hoses to or from a high pressure water distribution unit'80 of a portable pool cleaning system such as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15.

r The water distribution system 80 usedwith portable 7 pool cleaning systems usually consists of a high strength plastic cylindrical reservoirwhich has a separate com- 'partment 81 intowhich sand or other heavy material is sealed to provide weight and vertical stability for the 'unit when in the pool. The top coverportion of theunit V is provided at its center with an upwardly projecting interior threaded extension 82 which is adapted to re ceive a coupling secured to one end of a feed hose:83.' V

A plurality of integrally formed cylindrical bosses 84 V I project radially outwardly from themiil of' unit 80.- I a Each boss is provided with a bore 85 having an annular groove 86 near its outer end formingthe female or re ceivingportion of the quickadisconnect. fitting. The male orins'ertableportion 87 of the fitting istubular 1 shape, having a somewhat flexible thin wall section throughout most of its length with integrally formed cylindrical ring portions 88 and 89, respectively, at each end of the tubular portion. The ring portion 88 has an outside diameter slightly greater than bore 85 and slightly less than the depth diameter of the annular groove 86 so that the male portion 87 of the fitting can be manually forced .into locked relation with the ring portion 88 secured in the annular groove 86.

The heavier outer ring portion 89 is formed to provide a gripping flange for aiding in manipulation of the male member 87 into or out of locked relation in quickdisconnect fitting assemblies of this invention in association with other components of portable pool cleaning systems.

The flexible sweep hoses 46 each haveone of the multi-jet cleaning nozzle assemblies 56 attached to its outer dispensing end together with several wear rings 50. The male portion of a quick-disconnect fitting assembly such as 44, 44' or 87 is installed at its receiving end and is connected in locked relation with the female portion of the quick-disconnect fitting in the cylindrical side walls of the distribution unit 80.

The distribution unit 80 with the assembled sweep hoses attached thereto are connected to a flexible feed hose 83 attached to one side of a suitable feed hose 83 attached to one side of a suitable float 92 shownin FIG.

14. The other side of the float is connected to a supply hose 94. Hose 94 is connected to the filter system return line 23 (shown in FIG. 1) for supplying filtered water under pressure to the pool through the distributor unit 80, sweep hoses 46 and the multi-jet nozzles 56.

When using the portable pool cleaning apparatus shown in F 1G. 14, all of the components of the system described above, with the exception of the supply line hose 94,,are assembled out of the pool and are placed in the pool with the distributor unit allowed to rest on the pool floor. The distribution unit 80 is guided to the preferred location in the pool by manipulation of the supply hose 94 and may be relocated or removed from the pool in the same manner.

The portable pool cleaning apparatus shown in FIG. 15 comprises a distribution unit 95 designed to float on water and transport the flexible sweep hoses 46 into positions of the pool to be cleaned. A pair of feeder hoses 96 and 99 connected to the filter system return line 23 of the pool components is attached to the distribution unit 95 through a float arm 98. The float arm 98 is designed to keep the distribution unit in a vertical position and aid in the flotation of the attached flexible sweep hoses. One or more sweep hoses are suitably attached to the distribution unit as shown for cleaning the pool bottom and side walls. A special bumper wheel 99 is attached with adjustable shaft 100 to keep the distribution unit on a desired tracking path around the pool sides.

Although the sweep hoses connected to an outlet on the bottom of the pool have not been illustrated, it should be recognized that this type of connection and use of the new hose assembly may also by utilized.

Having thus described in the preceding pages of this specification and illustrated in the several views of the drawings the various features of construction and operation of the preferred embodiments of the swimming pool cleaning apparatus of'this invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention or from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A flexible conduit assembly for use on swimming pool cleaning apparatus comprising:

a flexible hose,

nozzle means fastened at one end of said hose,

said nozzle means comprising an elongated tubular member for ejecting water transmitted through said hose outwardly thereof,

a connector means attached to the other end of said hose for detachably connecting with a receiving means on the swimming pool cleaning apparatus for attachment with pressurized water supplied to said swimming-pool cleaning apparatus, and

a plurality of wear rings selectively positioned along said hose for weighting said hose when positioned in a pool and providing a surface between the pool walls and said hose for wear purposes, said nozzle means comprising a first orifice arranged along its longitudinal axis for ejecting water transmitted through said hose outwardly thereof in a direction substantially axially with its longitudinal axis and a plurality of second orifices radially spaced around said longitudinal axis of said nozzle means with their centerlines at acute angles with the centerline of said first orifice,

said second orifices ejecting water away from the water ejected by said first orifice at an acute angle thereto,

said tubular member of said nozzle means having an outer shape of a substantially frusto-conical configuration with its end having a larger diameter arranged at the orifice end of said nozzle means to aid in keeping its nozzle end in the pool during the whipping action of the conduit assembly when transmitting water therethrough.

2. The flexible conduit assembly set forth in claim 1 wherein:

said wear rings comprise hollow tubular members having larger diameters at their centers than at their ends wherein said diameters are slightly smaller than the outside diameter of the associated hose.

3. A device for cleaning swimming pools comprising:

a flexible conduit assembly including a plurality of elongated flexible hoses, each provided with a nozzle means at one end thereof and a connector means attached to the other end thereof,

said nozzle means comprising an elongated tubular member having a first orifice arranged along the longitudinal axis of the nozzle means and a plurality of other orifices equally spaced around said first orifice with their centerlines intersecting the centerline of said first orifice at an acute angle,

said first and other orifices ejecting water under pressure from the associated hose,

means mounted in the wall of the "pool to cooperate with each connector'means to releasably attach the hose thereto with pressurized water supplied to said cooperating means to pass through said hoses,

said connector means being a rigid cylindrical member received over the other end of said hose and fixed therearound, said means mounted in the a wall of the pool being a cylindrical casing receiving pressurized water in one end and removably receiving'the cylindrical member in the other end;

said cylindrical casing having means thereon cooper ating with means on said cylindrical member to releasably hold the cylindrical member within :said cylindrical casing to enable quick-connect and quick-disconnect of said hoses,

the end of the casing removably receiving the cylindrical member is substantially flush with the wall of the pool to eliminate projections into the pool when the conduit assembly is removed,and

V a plurality of wear rings selectively positioned along 

